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\ y l WINDMILL.: No 6051079 y .Patented June 7, v1898.

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. Y u 'WINDMILL.

No'. 605,079". y Patented June 7.', 1898.

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i UNITED ,STATES PATENT l 4iyFIcgE.

JOHN OoATns, or OLIVE, CALIFORNIA.

` VKs PncIFIcATIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 605,079, dated June 7,

Application filed J' une 26, 1897.

To @ZZ whom it may concern.- Be itknown that I, JOHN CoATns, a citizen of the bUnited States, residing atOlive, in the county'of-4 Orange and State of Oalifornia,have

invented? certain new and useful Improvements in Windmills; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of theJ invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to windmills,andhas special relatio'nto mechanism for automatsimple and eective regulating mechanism ofv this character which Will automatically oper'-A ate to cont-rol the stroke of the pitman or pump' rod and insure a uniform operation ofthe same during Variations in the strength or power of the wind, thus insuring economy in while with a long'or medium stroke no practi-A operation and uniform veffectiveness or ser-vice of the windmill under varying conditions. In carrying out this purpose I provide a mechanism which operates to shorten or lengthen the stroke of the pitman or pump rod without altering the play of the main operating-crank carried by the wheel-shaft, substantially as hereinafter fully set forth.

In the practical operation of windmills the strength or power of the Wind materially varies. Witha light wind andv corresponding short stroke of the mechanism a comparatively small quan'tity of watei` will be pumped,

cal pumping of the water will be effected.` Thus, according to the variations in the wind, most windmills generallytin use effectively operate only when the f'orceor power of the windis strong; -Tli'e designof the improved construction and arrangement embodied in my inventio'nis'to so adj ustV the stroke of the mechanism automatically with respect to variation in the forceor strength of the wind that a Windmill provided with my improved adjusting mechanism will continuously operate with the maximum of effectiveness. and efficiency.

In the drawings, Figure l is perspective View of a windmill mechanismeinbodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a detailperspective seria No; Massif uit man.)

view of the pitmanlj oint and connecting mechanism." Fig. 3 isa detail perspectiveyiewof the vane mechanism controlling the jointed- Vpitnnail-adjusting mechanism. Fig. l is a dean'ismg" Fig. Sis a sectional view illustrating amodication in the mechanism for governing the gravity action of the lower section of thepitman. l

Corresponding partsin all the figures are denoted by the same letters of reference.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the main, frame of the'windmill, embodying theuprightsor-posts ct. B designates the main shaft, carrying the wheel O. D designates the main vane, and b designates the crank of the shaft, to which is connected the pitman or pump rod E. All of the foregoing parts except the 'pitman may be of any usual or preferred construction.

` In my invention the pitman or pump rod E isdivided into two separate sectionsan upperand lower one-E and E2, respectively,

and is preferably v constructed of wood. These' sections are connected by'a slidingoi1 verticallymovable joint,"which comprises a connecting-rod F,l whichmay be either cylindi'ical or rectangular in cross-section and is preferably formed of metal. The top of this connecting-rod -is secured to the lower end of the upper section El of the pitman, While its lower portion works'through a corresponding eye or opening'g in the top of a'loop or .bracket G, projecting from the top of the lower section E"Z of the pitman and-` comprising, preferably, side platesvg g; secured to u,said section E2, and the perforated top plate g2, as shown. At the lower'end ofthe connectingrod F is provided a nut or head f'within the bracket Gr, which operates to draw up or elevate the lower section E2 of the pitman on the upstroke of the pitman in the operation offpumping.v The connecting-rod is adapted to work freely with a sliding movement in IOO the bracket which connects it to the lower section of the pitman.

II designates a ratchet-bar which is pivotally mounted upon the connecting-rod F, which forms the lower end of the upper section of the pitman. The bar II has a toothed or serrated edge 71, adapted to engage a lip or edge g3 on the top plate of the bracket G, as shown.

Upon the upper portion of the connectingrod F is secured a laterally-projecting arm I, from the outer end of which extends a spiral spring J. The inner end of this spring is connected to the upper end of the pivotallymounted ratchet-bar II and governs the operation of the same. This spring may be adjusted by means of a thumb-screw j or other suitable mechanism connected with its outer end. The thumb screw adjusting mechanism herein shown embodies the screw j, working through an angle-arm t' on the outer end of the arm I and carrying upon its projecting threaded end j a plate j?, to which the outer end of the spring .I is connected, whereby by the turning of the screw the spring may be tightened or loosened, as desired.

K designates a bell-crank lever pivotally mounted, as at 71:, upon an arm L, which extends inwardly to and is pivotally connected with the pitman-rod F. To the upper arm 7s of the bell-crank lever is connected a wire or connecting-rod M, extending to the upper end of the ratchetbar II. The rod M and spring .I extend at opposite sides of the bar Il, as shown. From the lower arm 7a2 of the lever K extends a wire or connecting-rod N upwardly to an upright or vertical vane O, hereinafter described, the operation of the vane mechanism being such that the wire N is drawn upwardly or slaekens, according to the strength or power of the wind.

In lieu of the bell-crank lever II, I may em ploy a pulley K, liournaled upon the arm L, as shown in Fig. 7 ot the drawings, in which modified construction the connecting wires or cables M and N will simply be continuous and be wound around the pulley, so that the latter guides the operation of the continuous connecting wire or cable between the vertical vane and ratchet-bar.

The arm L is carried upon an arm P, pivotally mounted at its lower end, as at p, upon one of the posts or uprights a ot the frame or tewerA of the windmill, the pivotal joint between the arms L and I) being formed by the pivot 7a of the bell-crank lever K, as shown. The arms L and P, pivotally mounted, as at 7a and p, serve to obviate any lateral motion of the pitman arising from the tightening or slackening of the connecting wire or rod M between the bell-cran k lever and ratchet-bar as the pitman operates in its up-and-down stroke.

In practice when the wind is light the thumb-screw or spring-adjusting device j is tightened, so that the spiral spring J draws the upper end of the ratchet-bar Il over and permits the first or second tooth or ratchet h to engage with the lip or edge g3 when the motion of the pitman is downward. Thus the lower section of the pitman is forced down wardlya distance corresponding to the point of engagement of the ratchet-bar, and on the upward movement of the pitman the nut or head fof the sliding connecting-bar F will engage with the top g2 of the bracket Gv and elevate or lift the lower section of the pitman and the pump-plunger a similar corresponding distance. IVhen the wind becomes stron ger, the vane mechanism connected with the wire or rod N will operate to draw the latter upwardly and through the medium of the bell-crank lever and connecting wire or rod M draw the top end of the ratchet-bar over against the tension of the controllingspringJ, so that the ratchet-teeth at the lower end of the ratchet-bar will be engaged with the lip or edge g3 and operate to carry the lower section of the pitman and the pumpplunger down a relatively great distance, according to the increased force or power ot the wind.

An important feature of my invention and improvements consists in the divided pitman or pump rod connected by regulating meel-1- anism having an independent sliding movement, the lower section of the pitman having an independent play with respect to the movement ofthe upper section, while the latter operates to the full extent of the play of the crank upon the main shaft uniformly at each revolution. The independently-operating lower section of the pitman carrying the pump-plunger will, by reason of the sliding regulating mechanism connecting it with the uniformly-moving uppersection ot' the divided pitman, have a downstroke only so far as it is actuated or pushed by the ratchet-bar, and it can operate in its upstroke only so far as it has been thus forced downwardly, whereby the lower section et the divided pitman has an up-and-down stroke different from the uniform stroke ot the upper section (which upper section is connected with the crank of the main shaft) and controlled by the regulating mechanism forming the connection bctween the sections, according to the force or power of the wind.

The vane mechanism for controlling the regulating devices comprises a horizontallyoperating vane Q, carried upon an arm R, pivotally mounted, by means of a hollow pivot f7', upon a horizontal arm a', projecting outwardly from the frame A of the windmill at the top. The upright or vertically-operating vane O is pivotally mounted upon the pivoted arm R, as at o, at right angles to the vane Q and carries a laterally-prejecting arm S, to which the upwardly-extending wire or rod N is connected. The latter passes downwardly through the hollow pivot t', as shown. The

horizontal vane Q operates upon its pivot fr to keep the upright or vertical vane O facing IOO IIO

tthewind. Whenthe vane O is operated by the force of the wind and its arm S rises, the

wire or rod N is drawn upwardly, thus carrying the bell-crank lever over, so that its upper arm draws upon the connecting wire or rod M against the tension of the spring J,

which operation carries or draws the lowery or projection Rp', mounted under or with ret lengthen the stroke.

lation to the arm S of the upright vane, which block will serve as a guide in the initial adjustment of the mechanism, as hereinafter described.v

It will be understood that when the adjusting screw or mechanism j is tightened to draw up the spring .I the latter retains the ratchetbar from engagement with 4the lower section ofthe pitman until the wind blows strongly enough to automatically operate the mechanism, and thus shortens thestroke. If the adjusting screw or mechanism j and spring J are tightly set, a strong wind is necessary to If the screw and spring are set in a slack or loose manner, a moderately strong wind will operate to draw the ratchet-bar downwardly and inwardly into engagement with the lower section of the pitman, and thus cause ajlonger stroke. The tension of the spring, J, regulated by its set mechanism j, thus governs the length of the stroke in relation to the windmill mechanism and the desired requirements. When the wind is strong enoughto forcethe upright vane backwardly to its full limit ,of play, the

relativel arrangement of the mechanism is such that the ratchet-bar will be drawn into position with'its lowest tooth in engagement with the lower section of the pitman.

andwill maintain this stroke steadily, lwithout shifting the length of the same, as long as the wind maintains ythe same degree of strength. As the force of the Wind slackens the mechanism will operate to actuate the ratchet-bar, so that its upper teeth are thrown into engagement ,and the length of vstroke thereby correspondingly shortened. When the spring J and set mechanism j are very slack or loose, the ratchet-bar is easily operated by a light wind to give or permit a full long stroke and so stop the motion of the wheel unless thevwell is very shallow.

To obviate y downward movement of the lower section of thepitman and pump-plunger by their own gravity or weight, I provide a supporting-spring U', of spiral form, having its top end connected to the frame A (preferably atthe top platform a2) and its lower The latter then operates with its longest stroke,

end connected to the 'lower section of the plunger, (preferably at the bracket or loop G.) The tension of this spring U is so adjusted that it will overcome the gravity of the lower section of the pitman, but will permit the operation of the same in a'downward stroke by T is secured a metallic strap t, embracingone of the side plates g of the open loop or bracket Gr.'

If desired, in lieu of the supporting-spring U a set -screw U may be arranged to work through saidcross-bar T and bear against the side plate g at its point of connection with the -embracing ,-strap t, this substitute construction being shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. The/inner bearing end of the set-screw U may be provided with a 'washer u, preferably formed of leather. By adjustment of this setscrew mechanism sufficient friction is brought to bear upon the top bracket of the lower section ofthe pitman to prevent the latterkfrom descending or dropping by gravity and at the same time permit of its operation in a downward stroke by action of the ratchet-bar.

Vhile I have herein illustrated and described the substitute set-screw friction mechanism as one form of device for retaining the lower section of the pitman against gravity action, the preferred construction for effecting this ofcecconsists of the spring U', as hereinbefore described. Under some circumstances, especially `in relation to the types ofwindmills commonly in use, the horizontal vane devices Q R, herein shown, may be dispensed with, and the vertical vane O, with its arm S, may be pivotally mounted upon the main vane D, in which obvious construction and arrangement it will only be necessary to carry the wire or cable N from the arm S downwardly through a tubular or hollow pitman or pump rod and to the bell-crank lever or pulley.

It will be noted Ythat the main factors in .carrying out the regulation of the lower section of the divided pitman and pump-plun- This guide mech- IOO ger'reside in the sliding-joint connection'betweenthe upper and lower sections of the divided pitman and the operation of t-he lower tionwill be readily understood by those skilled in the art tolwhichit appertains. It

serves by means of the mechanism and inthe manner above set forth to effectively regulate the stroke of the plunger with relation to variation in the strength or power of the wind without altering the connecting-crank mechanism between the pitman and main wheelshaft. In a light wind the regulating mechanism secures a very short stroke of the plunger and elfectively pumps, while in a strong wind a full stroke of the plunger is permitted. During the greater part of the time the wind blows lightly, and an ordinary windmill will therefore not pump advantageously unless permanently set with a short or medium stroke, in which case effective operation is lost whenever the wind blows strongly. lVith my invention the stroke may be set 01 adj usted for effective operation in a very light wind, and then when the wind increases in force the stroke will be automatically lengthened and again shortened when the force of the wind decreases.

In the initial adjustment of my improved regulating mechanism the operator should stand by the ratchet-bai' spring mechanism when the wind blows very light-ly and tighten the set-screwj and spring J until the arm S of the upright vane O is drawn down (by the intervening connecting mechanism) to the limiting-block R; or this can be done before the wind begins to blow, and then when the wheel begins to turn the screwj may be tightened or loosened to give the pump such a stroke as will equal the power of the wheel. Then as the wind increases in force and the power of the mill correspondingly increases the vane O will be forced backwardly, its arm S will rise and draw up the wire il, the bell-crank lever K will be operated to draw upon the wire M, the ratchet-bar II will be drawn against the tension of the spring .I into engagement with the lower section of the pitman, and the latter will be pushed down in a stroke so regulated with relation to the force of the wind that the maximum degree of power and efiiciency is at all times secured. As the pitman rises the head f of the conncctingrod F will engage the top of the bracket G and draw up the lower section of the pitman to the same extent that it has been pushed down by the ratchet-bar.

If at any time the force of the wind is strong enough to cause the lowermost notch or tooth of the ratchet-bar to engage the lip g3, the maximum length of stroke will be attained, and this maximum stroke will continue until the force of the wind is reduced. As the power of the wind becomes lessened the spring J will automatically operate to overcome the upright vane O and intervening mechanism and draw all said regulating mechanism in a reverse movement, so that the teeth of the ratchet-bar will be disengaged from the lip g3 and the stroke of the lower section of the pitman correspondingly shortened as the power of the wheel is decreased.

Then once initially adjusted or set with relation to the size of the windmill, the power of the same, the depth of the well, &c., no further adjustment of the governing spring mechanism j .I will be necessary and its original fixed relative adjustment will enable the proper and automatic regulation of the stroke under any varying conditions in the windpower.

By means of my improved divided pitman and connecting regulating mechanism when applied to a windmill an adjustment by which Jthe possible stroke can be materially lengthened can also be secured. Thus an ordinary windmill which works with a set stroke of six inches can be set to a stroke of nine or more inches if my divided pitman and regulating mechanism are employed. It will be, furthermore, noted that the lost motion is so controlled by my sliding coupling mechanism between the sections of the divided pitman that the motion of the wheel-crank with relation to the lower section of the pitman and pumpplunger is lost until the ratchet-bar pushes or forces the lower section of the pitman on its downstroke.

lIaving thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. As an improvement in windmills, a divided pitman or pump rod comprising two sections, a joint mechanism comprising a connecting-rod secured to the top section and having a sliding connection with the lower section and a pivotally-mounted ratchet-bar adapted to engage and actuate the lower scction, and mechanism for controlling the operation of the ratchet-bar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. As an improvement in windmills, a divided pitman or pump rod comprising two sections, a joint mechanism comprising a connecting-rod secured to the top section and having a sliding connection with the lower section and a pivotally-mounted ratchet-bar adapted to engage and actuate the lower scction, spring devices governing the ratchetbar, and mechanism for actuating the ratchetbar against the tension of said spring devices, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. An improved windmill, comprising a divided pitman or pump rod embodying an upper and lower section, a joint mechanism connecting said sections and embodying a connecting-rod secured to the top section and having a sliding connection with the lower section and a pivotally-mounted ratchet-bar adapted to engage and actuate the lower section, spring devices for throwing the ratchetbar out of engagement with the lower section, connecting cords or rods extending between the ratchet-bar and a controlling mechanism, and a controlling mechanism fordrawing upon said cords or rods to cause the same to actuate the ratchet-bar against the tension of the spring, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. An improved windmill, comprising a di- IOO IIO

vided pitman or pump rod embodying two sec-v tions, a joint mechanism permanently connecting said sections but permitting an in dependent movement of the lower section with relation to the upper section andfembodyng a device for intermittently bearing upon the lower section, mechanism for retaining said intermittently-bearing device out of engagement with the lower section, devices connected with said intermittently-bearing device and adapted to draw against the action of said retaining mechanism, and means for operating said connection devices, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. 'As an improvement in windmills, a divided pitman or pump rod comprising upper .and lower sections, 'a joint mechanism permanently connecting said sections and comprising a connecting rod or device having a movable connection with the lower section and permitting an independent movement of the same with relation tothe upper section and a device intermittently bearing upon the lower section, and means for governing thev operation of said intermittently-,operating device, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. An improved windmill, comprisinga divided pitman embodying an upper section and Y atlower section, the upper section being connected to the main operating mechanism of the windmill, devices supporting the lower section independently of the upper section, a sliding joint connecting saidsections, devices for intermittently engaging the lower section, and means for operating the devices which engage the lower section in their intermittent movement, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

7 An improved windmill, comprising a divided pitman embodying an upper section and alower section7 the upper section being connected to the main operating mechanism, devices supporting the lower section independently of the upper section, a sliding joint connecting said sections, a ratchet-bar pivotally carried upon the upper section and adapted to engage the lower section, and mechanism for throwing said ratchet-bar into and out of engagement with the lower section, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN .COATES,. 

